Sunday, 28 August 2016

Last night's farewell to Soft Power Records was a largely blasting affair, high on intensity and gut churning intensity. It was brilliant! Here's what made it from my stuffed 7" box to the decks (ineptly, as usual - there was a wee issue with one of the turntables which lead to sticking records and dead air):September Girls Gay Bar (Bachelor)

Bent Skeleton Man (Moontown)

The Wake Of The Matter (Factory)

The Mekons Where Were You? (Fast Product)

> Blood of the Bull live

CTMF Song For Kylie Minogue (Damaged Goods)

Shopping Straight Lines (Fat Cat)

Veronica Falls Teenage (Bella Union)

> Current Affairs live

Broadcast American Boy (Warp)

CC Dust New Ways (Night School)

Primetime Pervert (La Vida Es Un Mus)

Vital Idles My Sentiments (Not Unloved)

> Dora Maar (Andrew Hill solo) live

The Royal Sitars Eloise (Agitated)

Scars Horrorshow (Fast Product)

The Fall It's The New Thing (Superior Viaduct)

Tommy James and The Shondells Hanky Panky (Philips)

Billie Davis Billy Sunshine (Decca)

> Witching Waves live

Bikini Kill I Like Fucking (Kill Rock Stars)

A Certain Ratio Do The Du (Peel Session version) (Soul Jazz)

The Frowning Clouds All Night Long (Saturno)

Sugababes Overload (London)

Marnie The Hunter (Soft Power)

Sandra Plays Electronics Her Needs (Minimal Wave)

X Ray Spex Identity (EMI)

Babes In Toyland Handsome and Gretel (Insipid Vinyl)

> H. Grimace live

The Raincoats Fairytale In The Supermarket (Rough Trade)

Patience The Church (Night School)

Carol So Low (Weyrd Son)

David Bowie Rebel Rebel (RCA)

Maureen Tucker Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (Trash)

> Kaspar Hauser live

Alternative TV Action Time Vision (Deptford Fun City)

The Brats Be A Man (Hozac)Gary Walker You Don't Love Me (Columbia)

The Diaboliks Hangover Head (Vinyl Japan)

The Sorrows Take A Heart (Pye)

Psychic Dancehall A Love That Kills (Art Fag)

CC Dust New Ways (Night School - played again for Seb from Current Affairs)

Hearing "Hangover Head" louder than I've ever heard it before was a real treat:

"New Ways" by CC Dust (7" coming soon on Night School) seemed to fit the mood of the evening perfectly:

Monday, 22 August 2016

It's always sad to see a favourite record label call it a day. It's doubly sad when that label is run by friends. When Bek and Graeme announced earlier this year that there were going to be no more Soft Power Records releases it gave me a bit of a jolt as I hadn't seen it coming. After the inital surprise, the memories came rushing back. I remembered the sweet nights spent listening to amazing POP music at neighbourhood feud-starting volume at their house in Livingston. I remembered, too, all the great records I had bought from them and, for that matter, all the records they so kindly gave me for cheap or free from their ace and much-missed Soft Power Vinyl distro. I remembered the heart-quickening thrill of hearing Marnie's "The Hunter" before it came out and I remembered just how chuffed I was when they told me that they had taken the plunge and were going to release a single by Glasgow's Aggi Doom, who at that stage were fizzing with ideas and vitality. I have so many great memories connected to Soft Power Records. It's so great, therefore, that another of the label's friends, David Barr (himself a passionate supporter of less heralded music - check out hisSki Pie Rage blog),has taken it upon himself to organise a celebration of all things Soft Power with a night at Glasgow's The Old Hairdressers. It's this Saturday and is sure to be a blast with Witching Waves and H. Grimace making the trip north where they will be joined by Kaspar Hauser, Blood of the Bull, Current Affairs (the latest fab group featuring Joan and Josh who graced the label as part of Seconds) and Dora Maarfrom Soft Power's Scottish contingent. I'll be playing a few tunes between bands, too. Bek and Graeme are two of the most enthusiastic, warm-hearted, generous and genuine people I've had the privilege to know so, if you can, please come along on Saturday to thank them for fighting the good fight for the past 6 years and to give their label the righteous send-off it deserves.

Remind yourself of just how much wonderful music Soft Power Records released by listening to the David Barr compiled We Love Soft Power Compilation which can be streamed HERE